One of our strongest and most valued qualities is our collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to patient care. 

Key points

  • The ICU is governed by our senior leadership team 
  • Patient treatment and care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals 
  • Specialist ICU doctors are primarily responsible for patient treatment plans 
  • CNCs are available to support patients and families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 
Nurse Unit Manager, Michelle Spence and Director of ICU, Chris MacIsaac
Nurse Unit Manager, Michelle Spence and Director of ICU, Chris MacIsaac

The ICU team includes highly skilled intensive care doctors, nurses, allied health, pharmacy, clerical, clinical assistants, cleaners and personal assistant staff. The entire multidisciplinary team work closely with all specialised medical and surgical units across the Parkville precinct.

Senior leadership team

One of our strongest and most valued qualities is our collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to patient care. The ICU Senior Leadership Team consists of senior ICU specialists and nursing leaders. 

Doctors

A/Prof Chris MacIsaac leads our team of specialist ICU doctors (intensivists) who are primarily responsible for the treatment of patients in the ICU.

All patients in the ICU are cared for by a multidisciplinary team of staff that includes senior registrars, registrars, residents, nursing staff, pharmacists, and allied health staff.

The ICU medical team generally do two formal ward rounds a day for each patient and more frequently review patients, perform procedures, respond to emergencies, and attend family meetings.

All care in the ICU is in collaboration with our specialist medical teams of the RMH.

View doctors specialising in Intensive Care

Nurses

ICU nurses operate in a team, led by the Nurse Unit Manager (NUM),Michelle Spence. We have Clinical Nurse Managers (CNMs), Associate Nurse Unit Managers (ANUMs), Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNCs) and critical care registered nurses (CCRNs) in ICU.

Each bedside nurse looks after either one or two patients (depending on level of care required), providing highly specialised care in line with the treatment plan formed during the ICU ward rounds. This includes taking blood for tests, monitoring vital signs, administering medications and running specialised life support machines.

Due to the complex care and close monitoring required in ICU, there is typically one nurse to one patient. This is different to other hospital wards.

ICU Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNCs) 

CNCs are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our CNCs are responsible for coordinating the support of patients and families during the patient’s stay in the ICU. 

CNCs can provide relevant updates, guidance and appropriate support to the patient’s next of kin (NOK) and family. 

If required, our CNCs can help with organising letters to assist with urgent visa applications for family members overseas, leave from work and special consideration from study.

Allied health

The ICU has a broad team of allied health professionals including dietitians, speech pathologists and physiotherapists who together help patients recover from illness.

Social workers

Social workers provide support to patients and families when they have a loved one in the ICU. This can include counselling and emotional support or assistance for managing practical affairs while in ICU.

LGBTIQA+ Liaison Officer

The RMH LGBTIQA+ Liaison Officer provides cultural, emotional, social and clinical support to patients and families as well as having specialist knowledge in LGBTIQA+ health.

Find out more about Welcoming LBGTIQA+ people to the RMH.

First Nations Hospital Liaison Officer

The RMH First Nations Hospital Liaison Officer assists in the provision of culturally safe and appropriate care and service for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander patients and acts as a cultural interpreter, consultant and advocate to help assess, plan, provide and coordinate best practice and patient care.

Find out more about First Nations health.

Spiritual Care

Spiritual Care upholds the importance of the holistic care of individuals by addressing the connections between physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions of wellbeing.

Reception team

Our reception team are the face of the ICU, greeting everyone who comes into the unit.

They play a vital role in:

  • Making next of kin and family members feel welcome on arrival in the ICU
  • Connecting family members with their loved ones over the phone
  • Connecting family members with our CNC team
Last updated 08 February 2023